The Chicago Auto Show is held annually in February at Chicago's McCormick Place convention complex. It is the largest auto show in North America.
History</h2>
Samuel Miles produced the first "official" Chicago Automobile Show in 1901. The event was staged in March of that year at the third Chicago Coliseum located at 1513 S. Wabash Avenue. The 1901 show featured an indoor track for attendees to test drive the ten vehicles exhibited: five electric powered, three steam powered, and two with gasoline engines. The 1902 show saw 100 cars on display; the indoor track was discontinued after the first year to accommodate space requirements for the exhibitors.
By the late 1920s, the automotive industry's maturation resulted in many smaller automobile manufacturers being acquired or replaced by larger ones. The Chicago Auto Show continued to gain prominence during this era and was often regarded as the "National Auto Show". Samuel Miles retired as the Chicago Auto Show's general manager in 1931 after three decades of service.
1935 was characterized by three major changes to the Chicago Auto Show: The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), the United States' oldest and largest metropolitan automobile dealership organization, became the event's producer and organizer. Also, the show was held twice in calendar year 1935 - once in January for the 1935 models, and once in November for the 1936 models. This arrangement was a result of automakers shifting the start of the model year to the fall, based on a recommendation by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to advance the introduction of new automobile models by two months. Finally, the November 1935 show moved to a much larger venue, the International Amphitheatre located at 4220 South Halsted Street.
World War Two curtailed production of motor vehicles for consumers in the United States, with the domestic automotive industry retooling to manufacture defense and military equipment. As a result, the Chicago Auto Show was not held between 1941 and 1949.
In 1961, the Chicago Auto Show moved from the International Amphitheatre to the original McCormick Place. The latter facility was destroyed by fire just a month prior to the 1967 show, so the International Amphitheatre resumed its role as the Chicago Auto Show's venue between 1967 and 1970. The show returned to McCormick Place in 1971, when a replacement building was constructed at the site. Additional expansions to McCormick Place toward the end of the 20th century allowed the Chicago Auto Show to become the largest auto show in the United States. The event currently encompasses more than 1 million square feet in the North and South exhibit halls of McCormick Place.
Due to the vast amount of space available, several auto manufacturers have implemented creative uses of their exhibit space in recent years. For example, FCA US, Toyota, and Mercedes-Benz have all configured indoor test track experiences adjacent to their respective vehicle displays.
2017
The 2017 Chicago Auto Show was held from February 11 through February 20, with press days starting on February 9.
Production car introductions
Concept car introductions
2016
The 2016 Chicago Auto Show was held from February 13 through February 21, with press days starting on February 11.
Production car introductions
Concept car introductions
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Extreme Concept
- Nissan Winter Warriors Concepts
2015
The 2015 Chicago Auto Show was held from February 14 through February 22 and had a 7 percent increase in attendance compared to 2014. The show’s media preview day hosted 18 world premieres including the introduction of the Kia Trail’ster concept as well as production vehicles such as the Acura RDX, Chevrolet Equinox, Honda Pilot and Toyota Avalon.
Production car introductions
Concept car introductions
Race car introductions
- Nissan GT-R LM NISMO
2014
The 2014 Chicago Auto Show was held from February 8 through February 17, with press days starting on February 6.
Production car introductions
Concept car introductions
Race car introductions
- Volkswagen GRC Beetle
2013
The 2013 Chicago Auto Show was held from February 9 through February 18, with press days starting on February 7.
Production car introductions
Concept car introductions
2012
The 2012 Chicago Auto Show was held from February 10 through February 19, with press days starting on February 8.
Introductions and concepts:
In addition to the factory-built Chrysler 300, Mopar also showed three 75th anniversary accessory kits: the Dodge Dart "GTS 210 Tribute", Fiat 500 "Stinger", and Mopar Jeep Compass "True North".
2011
The 2011 Chicago Auto Show was held from February 11 through February 20, with press days starting on February 9.
Introductions and concepts:
2010
The 2010 Chicago Auto Show was held from February 12 through February 21, with press days starting on February 10.
Introductions and concepts:
2009
The 2009 Chicago Auto Show was held from February 13 through February 22, with press days starting on February 11.
Introductions and concepts:
Also, the Ford Transit Connect was re-introduced as an official 2010 model, after pre-production units were displayed for the first time in the U.S. at the previous year's show.
2008
The 2008 Chicago Auto Show was held from February 8 through February 17, with press days starting on February 6.
Introductions:
The show also had a special U.S. Army area, open to the public, which displayed military vehicles and featured Army-related activities and video games.
2007
The 2007 Chicago Auto Show was held from February 9 through February 18, with press days starting on the 7th.
Introductions:
2006
The 2006 Chicago Auto Show was held from February 10 through February 19, with press days starting on the 8th.
Introductions:
2005
The 2005 Chicago Auto Show was held from February 11 through February 20, with press days starting on the 9th.
Introductions:
- 2006 Buick Lucerne
- 2006 Cadillac DTS
- 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab
- 2006 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG
- 2006 Mercury Milan
- 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
- 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
- 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
- 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
2001
Introductions:
- Hyundai HCD6 Roadster Concept Car
1998
Production car introductions
Concept car introductions
1992
More than 1,000 vehicles were on display, from the automotive manufacturers and other groups.
Production car introductions
Concept car introductions
- Geo Back Packer Tracker Concept
- Geo Beach Low-Rider Tracker Concept
- Geo Baja Race Tracker Concept
- Geo Biker Tracker Concept
- Geo Snow Tracker Concept
- Ford Explorer Drifter Concept
- Ford Boss Bronco Concept
- Saab 9000CD Turbo Flex Fuel Concept
- Toyota Avalong 4-door convertible concept
1991
- GMC Rio Grande All-Wheel-Drive Concept
1990
The 1990 Chicago Auto Show featured the following concept cars:
- Acura NS-X concept
- Cadillac Aurora concept
- Dodge Daytona R/T concept
- Dodge Viper RT/10 concept
- Eagle Optima concept
- Geo "California Concept" Storm
- Geo Tracker "Hugger" concept
- GMC Transcend concept
- GMC Mahlo concept
- Plymouth Voyager III concept
- Subaru SRD-1 concept
- Subaru SV/X concept
1968
Production car introductions
- AMC AMX
1923
Production car introductions
- Crossland Steam Car
References
External links
- Chicago Auto Show
- Chicago Automobile Trade Association